CAMP TRAGEDY

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7912, 28 July 1917, Page 3

CAMP TRAGEDY

FACT OF MURDER ESTABLISHED. A MISSING WITNESS. (Per Press Association). GISBORNE, Last night. There is now no question in the minds of the police that the two men found dead at Wairongomai early this week were murdered by some person unknown. A post mortem examination revealed four shot wounds in Anderson’s body, one through the leg and three in the back, and any of these three would have been fatal; whilst either of the two in Bradley’s body would also have been fatal. The rifle found near the bodies was taken out by the men with eight cartridges to be used in the event of their requiring meat. When found after the tragedy the breecli was open, with a cartridge in it which had not been pushed back. The doctor and police are of opinion that the shooting was done by some third party. The inquest opened yesterday before Mr W. H. O. Johnston,’J.P., Acting-Coroner. After evidence of identification, the inquest was adjourned until Tuesday. The bodies have been buried at the cross roads. ■ An important witness in connection with the affair, who had been about the station since Monday last, suddenly disappeared yesterday afternoon, and search is being made for him. The camp where the tragedy occurred is about five hours’ ride from Wairongomai Homestead, in a rough place, about 3500 ft. above sea level. The party were engaged in cutting tracks to let sheep in during the spring.